HG grew up in a racist United States that denigrated Mexicans and African-Americans. (It was a country that wasn’t too enthusiastic about Jews either). In cartoons and cheap souvenir knick knacks, Mexicans were usually depicted leaning up against a cactus while sleeping under a giant sombrero. Super lazy, was the implication. (This mirrored the racist Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, Stepin Fetchit, watermelon eating “pickaninny” images that characterized the African-American population). For most of HG’s New York life there were few Mexicans in the city. There was one Mexican restaurant, the mediocre Xochitll, and no taquerias. When HG/BSK moved to Colorado they encountered hundreds of Mexican-Americans and illegal Mexican immigrants (plus scores of authentically Mexican and Tex-Mex eateries). Hardest working people HG/BSK ever observed. Gardening, auto repair, landscaping, painting, masonry were among the many skills of this population (not to mention lawyering, doctoring, teaching, etc.). And, wow, did they work hard. No pause for a sombrero snooze. One of the toughest manual jobs is roofing. Both roof construction and repair is work done under a blazing sun and/or sharp winds. Precarious footing. This was a virtual monopoly of recently arrived Mexicans. Of course, restaurants of all types were dependent on Mexicans. Outside of the chef, virtually the entire staff of most Colorado kitchens were Mexican (Restaurateur Daughter Victoria and her husband, chef Marc M., own three New York restaurants and couldn’t compete in that brutal arena without their talented Mexican crews). Now that HG/BSK live in New Mexico, they are immersed in a Hispanic and Mexican-American world. There are Hispanics that have lived in New Mexico for countless generations (including the descendants of Jews who fled Mexico during the Spanish Inquisition). The Governor of New Mexico is a Latina (HG doesn’t like her). The previous Governor was a Latino (liked by HG). HG/BSK’s Congressman is a Latino. There are more recently arrived Mexican-Americans. All seem to share a remarkable work ethic and unfailing courtesy. As far from that snoozing caricature as can be imagined.
